Local residents report that following the arrival of military columns in Myawaddy, Karen State, young people are being forcibly recruited as porters during nighttime operations. In the first week of September, the military entered Myawaddy with assistance from the Border Guard Force (BGF) and began conducting forced recruitment operations at night. Over the past few days, more than 10 young people have been detained, with some still missing according to local sources.
According to a Myawaddy resident, the military conducts night patrols and arrests young people from the streets using unlicensed vehicles. They contact the parents of those arrested, informing them that their children must serve in the military, and threaten that they cannot guarantee the safety of their children if news of the arrests is shared on social media. Currently, arrests are limited to the streets and have not extended to house raids. Parents’ attempts to locate and retrieve their children have been unsuccessful.
A particularly concerning incident occurred on the morning of September 8, when 17-year-old Zeyar Maung, who lives on No. 2 Kyun Taw City Ring Road in Myawaddy, was forcibly taken into a vehicle while walking with friends. While one of his friends managed to escape and informed Zeyar Maung’s parents, Zeyar Maung remains missing. His mother has developed heart problems due to the trauma of her son’s disappearance, according to relatives. Despite the family posting missing person notices on social media and seeking assistance, no information has been received to date.
Following their entry into Myawaddy, the military has deployed large forces throughout the city, taking control of all strategic locations including Bridge No. 1, and has removed the previously controlling Border Guard Force (BGF). These forced recruitments have caused significant fear and concern among city residents, particularly regarding the safety of young people in the area. The local population remains deeply worried about the ongoing situation and the security of their youth as the military continues its operations in the city.
